Sunday, May 24, 2009

Thought of spending the day at jiri. Got going by 7 in the morning. Just 55 kms for the day i thought. The morning ride was beautiful. Entertained myself by singing a few songs along the way. Stopped many places gazing at the huge hills. Lazing through the many villages. But not for long as the skies cover up and its rain time. Now nothing to see of the mountains and just riding in the narrow wet road. The euforic mood of the morning was gone. Cherikot had rised my expectations a lot. But on taking a turn saw Jiri from above and was instantly disappointed. The whole ambiance was depressing. Dint feel like the place i would stay and also it was only 11 in the morning. Reaching jiri, i knew i will be out of there soon. It was a straight street with lots of people. Was thinking of going to Bhandar but knew it was mur road. Came to know that its like 65 kms from here. Now with the rain and mud road slush cant be ruled out. Had a lazy chowmin and left half of it as it felt yukky! Rode to the other side of town and there ends the black top and it was slippery offroad from then on. Just turned back. Was not at all in the mood to go ahead in that environment. Was raining, nothing to see around and path not so good and my back complaining. Well on the way back i was not so happy about not continuing till bhandar. It would have been possible but was not really in the mood to put myself on the path just to make a trail. Took me some time to convince myself that it was ok to let path go. Now with no where to go Kathmandu it is. Looks like i can make it by 5 pm.

Riding in the rain, mist and horrendous road after cherikot. Reach the kodari highway at Kachiduar and i see lot of vehicles. on the road just standing. Navigate ahead and see even the bikes stopped. Man there is a strike of some turmoil and they have blocked the road. Manage to ride till the point of blocked and luckily things were just settling and the road opened. Looked like a big one as there were many people still arguiying and there was police with sticks and shields and all. Mine was the second vehicle to cross the blockade after it was opened. Was kinda nervous but the police opened a passage and guestured us to go. phew! road blocking is done at the drop of the hat on just about any reason!!

The skies clear and its the awesome two laned road. I get out of rain gear and do some spirited ride. Reach Kathmandu by 5pm. Immediately checkin back at hotel Yanki. Rest for some time. The dreaded back pain is back and now thats gets me worried about continuing the trip. Suddenly decide to give the trekking a go at least till Namche Bazar where one can see Mt Everest on clear days. Flight is available for the next and i book the return after 6 days. Its pretty reasonable at 5k INR for the return trip. Stuff the bare minimum things to the back pack and leave rest of the stuff and the bike at Hotel Yanki with trust. Things happening in a jiffy and before i realize i have a flight to catch the next morning!!

Fantastic early morning views from the Hotel room...

The subheccha hotel at charikot...

On the way to Jiri...

Some village multistoried houses on the way...

I was trying to click the farmer ploughing the field and she wouldnt move... For a moment i thought i was in trouble taking the picture of his daughter right in front of him :D

Beautiful mountains...

Good roads as well...

Brand new house...

A Nepali villager...

Clouds finding craveses in the mountain...

The town Jiri from above...

At Jiri...

It would be like this for 64 kms ahead i guess so i turned back...

A water mill...

One daring chemelion... Stayed put till i got really close to get a macro... This is also a macro just zoomed from a bit far...